Last week, after Hein's year-long, weight-loss journey aired on television - Hein could.

With a total weight loss of 188 pounds, a much fitter Hein walked into Sky High Sports trampoline park with his wife, Emilee, and an ecstatic son. There they would jump together on the trampoline for the very first time.

"That's his favorite thing to do," Hein said. "And I've never done it with him.

"I was that big guy and everyone would say, 'Go out there and do it.' And I was very, what's the word for it, (I had) no confidence at all. I was afraid I would rip it or go through it."

There was trepidation, too, when Hein first considered appearing on TV. At a point in his life where he didn't see a way to turn his weight around, "it scared me," he said.

But for himself - and his son - he took the leap.

When cameras started showing up to follow his dad, Tyler's first reaction was that he could "be famous by association."

His dad already had made a name for himself in Nashville circles. In 2010, Jason Aldean recorded Hein's song, Country Boy's World on his multi-platinum ACM Album of the Year, My Kinda Party.

In January 2012, Hein signed a publishing deal with SB21 Music Publishing on Music Row. Since then, Hein has had songs recorded and performed by Gretchen Wilson and Casey James.

Both stars appeared on the show with Hein, encouraging his songwriting talent and offering support. Hein also worked out a swimming fear with Olympic gold medalist Ryan Lochte at his side.

As the muscle soreness lessened and the pounds dropped, "it finally clicked in my mind that I can do anything," Hein said. "It never gets easy, but it gets easier."

And that attitude helped propel him forward.

The first thing Tyler did at the trampoline park last week was bound toward the foam pit overflowing with yellow and blue cushy cubes. Together he and his dad waited in line.

When it was Hein's turn to take the platform for the rope swing, Tyler stepped up behind him and pushed his back playfully in encouragement.

The significance of the moment was not lost: "It means," Tyler said, "I am going to have a lot of fun with my dad."